In this proof-of-principle study, we demonstrate that
magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) affords noninvasive measurements of the
visco-elastic properties of orthotopic murine gliomas. We have specifically
assessed the visco-elastic properties of orthotopically propagated RG2
gliomas in mouse brain, which are a faithful representation of the most
common primary brain tumour, astrocytoma. MRE revealed that RG2 gliomas were
softer and less viscous than the surrounding brain tissue, which is
consistent with the described appearance of the RG2 glioma model and
astrocytomas in the clinic.